Big D # 1: Dips

Some scoops have more fat than 12 strips of bacon! As far as dips go, scoop some onto your plate instead of diving straight into the bowl, suggests Nicole DiLorenzo, R.D. “This cuts down on how-much-of-that-did-I-have amnesia.” Follow these rules for smart dipping. Nutrition info based on a half-cup serving.

Worst Dip Choice: Brie

401 calories, 33 grams fat
Tasty? Yes. But this cheese has more fat than two jelly doughnuts.

Best Dip Choice: Guacamole

200 calories, 16 grams fat
All-natural and homemade guacs can actually be lower in calories than hummus, and have loads of heart-healthy fats. Just be wary of store-bought varieties—they often add oil or pack in sour cream for thickening.

Worst Dip Choice: Spinach Artichoke Dip

326 calories, 21 grams fat
Cheese-based dips—even those that contain veggies—are typically calorie bombs. “And this one has about a third of the fat most women should aim for in an entire day—before you even factor in the chips,” says Zied, author of Nutrition at Your Fingertips.

Big D # 2: Drinks

Ounce for ounce, they can be as caloric as a milk shake, so try DiLorenzo’s two-drink rule: One before your meal and one during.

Best Drink Choice: Hot Apple Cider

116 calories per 8-oz. glass
As festive as eggnog, but it has one third of the calories—and zero fat.

Worst Drink Choice: Chocolate Martini

342 calories per 4.5-oz. glass
Even clear chocolate liqueurs like this one can pack in the calories, says Stephanie Middleberg, R.D. If it sounds like dessert, it probably is.

Best Drink Choice: Pomegranate Martini

164 calories per 4.5-oz. glass
“A much better pick than the other ‘tini on this page,” says Middleberg. “Two ounces of pomegranate juice has just 40 calories, compared with more than 200 calories in chocolate liqueur.”

Worst Drink Choice: Mulled Wine

235 calories per 4-oz. glass
This traditional holiday drink gets heated and infused with ingredients like honey and sugar, which means you end up guzzling double the amount of calories than you would with a regular vintage.

Best Drink Choice: Champagne

80 calories per 4-oz. glass
Pop the cork! Calorie-wise, you can’t do better than a glass of bubbly.

Worst Drink Choice: Eggnog

Big D # 3: Desserts

They’re what makes life good. Here, easy advice for a happy (not heavy) ending. Nutrition info based on one eighth of a 9-inch pie.

Best Dessert Choice: Pumpkin Pie

386 calories, 15 grams fat
One of your best bets at the dessert table. Pumpkin is an iron- and fiber-packed vegetable, says Middleberg, and it’s made without a crust on top, which keeps calories reasonable.

Worst Dessert Choice: Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

822 calories, 60 grams fat
Chocolate and peanut butter are the ultimate double-whammy: One slice has more calories than a McDonald’s cheeseburger and large fries, and as much fat as most women need in a day! It’s a splurge.

Best Dessert Choice: Apple Pie

482 calories, 21 grams fat
“It’s a decent pick if you go for a small slice,” says Middleberg, “but pass on the a la mode.”

Worst Dessert Choice: Cherry Pie

617 calories, 29 grams fat
“When it comes to fruit pies, the difference in calories really depends on how much butter is in the crust and how much sugar you add to the fruit,” says Middleberg. “Tart cherries typically require more sugar to make ‘em sweet than apples do.”

Best Dessert Choice: Lemon Meringue Pie

322 calories, 12 grams fat
The fluffy topping is made mostly of egg whites—not cream—making it the best option on this list.

Worst Dessert Choice: Pecan Pie

685 calories, 41 grams fat
If you’re going for the pecan (and once a year, who can resist?), think “sliver” not “slab.”